Seahawks' Super Bowl MVP Loss: Bryant's Exit Stuns

0:00On April 3rd, the Seattle Seahawks just hoisted the Super Bowl trophy after beating the New England Patriots, but free agency hit them hard with A. Wave of Departures. Their Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Rick Woolen headed to the Philadelphia Eagles, Boy Mafe, joined the Cincinnati Bengals, and corner-back Kobe Bryant landed with the Chicago Bears. The Bears locked Bryant up with a three-year $40 million deal, leaving Seattle empty-handed, despite their clear interest in keeping him. Team leaders Mike McDonald and John Schneider pushed to resign the star safety who anchored their backfield. Bryant became a full-time starter over the last two years, snacking seven interceptions in the regular season and shining in the playoffs. As a Super Bowl champ, he was the backbone of what made Seattle's defense elite during that championship run. Now, fresh insight from an anonymous NFL executive, shared by Mike Sando of The Athletic, spills the tee on Seattle's real regret.

1:04They desperately wanted Bryant back and among all those losses, his exit cuts the deepest. That sting lingers as the Seahawks regroup, eyeing the draft and trades to rebuild that defensive fire without their key playmaker.